Ida B. Wells-Barnett Birthday Celebration 2019

Ida B. Wells-Barnett birthday celebration to be held July 12-13

The Ida B. Wells-Barnett Museum will celebrate its namesake's birthday July 12-13, 2019, in Holly Springs, Mississippi. This year's theme, "Building on the Past, Focusing on the Future," will provide a framework for the planned activities. The opening ceremony will be held at the museum on Friday, July 12, at 11:00 a.m., beginning with the unveiling of engraved pavers and the acceptance of a Hall Tree once belonging to Bishop Elias J. Cottrell of the Mississippi Industrial College. It was donated to the museum by Attorney Jeanette Freeman on behalf of Bennie Mae Freeman, a long-time civic worker and teacher in Marshall County.

The unveiling and dedication of a Historical Marker honoring the life and legacy of Wells-Barnett will take place Saturday, July 13, at 10 a.m. on the northeast corner of the Marshall County Courthouse lawn. Special exhibits and museum tours will be available throughout the day. The 23rd Annual Ida B. Wells-Barnett Gala will begin at 7 p.m. at Rust College Shaw Cafeteria. The guest speaker will be Virginia Bouie Wilson, First Lady of Hudsonville C.M.E Church and Holly Springs-Oxford Districts of Northeast Region of Mississippi. She is a Sunday school teacher, chairs the Empowerment Scholarship and Hospitality Committees, and serves as the worship leader for the District Ministries’ Spouses.

Wilson currently serves as the Chief Administrator for the Civilian Law Enforcement Review Board where she oversees a 13-member board that investigates allegations of misconduct filed by Citizens of the public against the City of Memphis Police Officers. She previously worked as the Intergovernmental Affairs Coordinator and the Executive Liaison to the Memphis City Council.

She currently serves on the board of the Workforce Investment Network. She has served on the board of the Delta Leadership Institute, and the Center City Commission, and has worked with the Greater Memphis Chamber, United Way of Greater, Ida B. Wells Academy, Pyramid Academy and Northside High School.

In recognition of her service to the community, Wilson has received several awards. She is the daughter of the late Petty and Willie Bell Bowie, the seventh child of ten children. She is the mother of two children, LaKendrick Montez (Shauna) Wilson and Falondria Sharmaye Wilson. She is the proud grandmother of Jordyn Nicole and Nicholas Maxwell Wilson.

Ida B. Wells-Barnett was born on July 16, 1862.